The following area fire departments will receive 2016 Volunteer Fire Assistance (VFA) Grants:

Creston Fire Dept; Elk Horn Fire Dept; Griswold Fire Dept; Manilla Volunteer Fire Dept; Oakland Fire Dept; Pacific Junction Fire Dept; Percival Fire Dept; Red Oak Volunteer Fire/Rescue Assoc; Riverton Volunteer Fire & Rescue; Shelby Fire & Rescue; Stuart Fire Dept;

The grants are made possible through the Iowa DNR Forestry Bureau, in cooperation with US Forest Service – State and Private Forestry. Gail Kantak, fire supervisor with the DNR’s Forestry Bureau, reminds all fire departments of the importance of submitting Wildland Fire Reports whenever they respond to a wildland fire or provide assistance to a prescribed or controlled wildland fire.  Wildland fire reporting forms are available at www.iowadnr.gov/fire.

Departments returning the reports receive priority points when the Volunteer Fire Assistance grant applications are scored.  The wildland fire reports are compiled locally and nationally and are reported to Congress.